Samantha Higgins
13 Dec 2019 · Coroner Nadia Persaud · London (East)
The coroner's concerns
1. lack of overarching care plan and key-worker for AABIT service users
“Sammi was cared for under the Access Assessment and Brief Intervention Team (AABIT). She was under the care of this team for almost three years. Her care requirements went beyond "brief intervention".”
2. delayed access to psychotherapy for severe mental health conditions
“Sammi suffered from emotionally unstable personality disorder and mood congruent psychotic symptoms. She required psychotherapy treatment. She was referred to the psychotherapy services in March 2017. By the time of her death in February 2018, Sammi had not received psychotherapy. The Inquest heard that there could be delays of 17 months from referral to receipt of treatment. It is considered that these ongoing lengthy delays give rise to a risk of future deaths.”